Nikon D90: First dSLR to do video

The much-rumored and even more longed-for update to the Nikon D80 has arrived. We have the first take of it here on CNET Asia. The Nikon D90 doesn't replace the popular D80, which moves down Nikon's dSLR product line, and unsurprisingly, provides some significant enhancements over that 2-year-old model. Most notably, the D90 is the first digital SLR to support movie capture.

Though its movie-capture specs aren't too shabby--24fps 1,280 x 720 motion JPEG and support for VR optical image-stabilization if the lens has it--D-Movie still doesn't match the best of the snapshot-camera movie modes.
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Drawings of Android phone revealed

The blog "Android Guys" has published an engineering drawing of T-Mobile's soon to be released Android phone codenamed the T-Mobile G1.

The images show more information about the device than any of the other mockups that have zipped around the blogosphere.

One of the more interesting tidbits from the drawing is a slight tilt of the bottom part of the phone where the trackball is located. The device has a full QWERTY keyboard with nicely spaced buttons. The Android Guys note this is reminiscent of recent Sidekick designs, and the site gives it a thumbs up.

The blog "Android Community" has used the drawing to calculate the phone's dimensions and reports that the thickness of the G1, also known as the HTC Dream, is approximately 0.64-inches or 16.35mm. Apple's iPhone, which doesn't have a flip-out screen, is 12.3 mm thick. It also looks like the G1's screen size is comparable to the iPhone's 3.5-inch screen.
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Viewsonic demos 120Hz desktop LCD at NVISION 2008

Viewsonic showed off a 22-inch, 120Hz desktop LCD display prototype at NVISION 2008 on Monday in San Jose, Calif.

While most computer LCD displays refresh at 60Hz, the Viewsonic prototype achieves virtually double the refresh rate, which can be beneficial when watching a movie. Since the 24 frames per second (fps) framerate that film is shot at can be evenly divided into 120Hz, it makes for a smoother framerate than what you get with a 60Hz display, especially during action scenes.

In my experience, movies running at 120Hz look like video as opposed to film and takes away from that movie-like feeling. Some people prefer the 120Hz look, but I really can't get used to it. It just feels like I'm watching a very big budget home movie. Games I have not seen at 120Hz, but there is evidence that there could be smoother performance 120Hz-compatible displays.

The prototype display is also compatible with Nvidia's Stereoscopic 3D technology.

In addition the Viewsonic prototype has a 3ms gray-to-gray response time, integrated 2Wx2 stereo speakers and a Dual Link DVI input.
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Vertical treadmill that's up, up and away

Fancy climbing walls that never end? Well, I don't. But for rock climbers who can't get enough of sheer vertical wall workouts, Brewer's Ledge has a solution for even those holed up in land-strapped public flats. Enter the Treadwall.

Exactly as its name implies, it's a vertical treadmill that comes with knobs for climbing, adjustable angles and a Polar heart-rate monitor for safety. There's no better way to illustrate how this works than to watch the video.

What we like even more is that this is motor-less, using the weight of the climber to pull the wall down. The only catch for mountain goats (of the human variant): You won't get any vertigo-charged moments to get your adrenaline peaking, since this stands at only a couple of feet above ground. In fact, the only thing height-challenged is a sticker price that starts from US$10,000.

Via Uncrate

Apple ready to rumble on September 9?

Several blogs (see Techmeme) are reporting that Apple will roll out new products on September 9. As previously rumored, starting with missive from Digg's Kevin Rose, Apple may be revamping the iPod nano and tweaking the iPod touch with new software, as well delivering iTunes 8.0 with a recommendation engine and selective price cuts.

Per usual with the cone of silence that encapsulates Steve Jobs and the Apple troops surrounding new product announcements, it's uncertain what will actually be unveiled next month.

However, from various sources CNET News is hearing that Apple is gearing up its engine for something the week of September 8, so the September 9 date is likely more accurate than the rumors so far of what will be delivered to the Mac and iPod devotees. Stay tuned as the build up to the next appearance of Steve Jobs and the unveiling of Apple's latest wares continues.

Via CNET Blogs

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